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Author: Subject: Star gazing - telecope recommendations ??
Jasper

posted on 6/1/11 at 02:39 PM Reply With Quote
Star gazing - telecope recommendations ??

Ok, so I've been watching the BBC Stargazing Live and it's got me a bit motivated to maybe have a go myself. Now I know next to nothing about astronomy but have always liked watching programmes about it. Prof Brian Cox is just fantastic to watch on TV, loved all his programs, totally cool dude in my book, and I have to say I've been rather impressed by Dara amateur knowledge too.

So, I'm sure there's a few people on here who know what they're doing, if I wanted to have a go myself and say had a budget of £150 to get me started, what's my best option for a telescope? And if I want to atke some pictures of what I'm seeing what would I need?

BTW - got myself a subscription to New Scientist for Christmas, this year gonna be a year to add some new knowledge to my old addled brain.





If you're not living life on the edge you're taking up too much room.

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steve m

posted on 6/1/11 at 03:17 PM Reply With Quote
Jasper

I agree, really good programme, and for years and years ive promised myself that i would buy a decent telescope
(i have a 15x30x45 one since i was about 8) but that is pretty useless

so what is the best buy ?

I also would like one of those sky maps that you dial in the date time etc, and it shows what all the stars etc are

Steve

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Jasper

posted on 6/1/11 at 03:30 PM Reply With Quote
I've got a basic app on my iPhone for astronomy, but I'm thinking a paying for a better one which shows what everything is in the sky.





If you're not living life on the edge you're taking up too much room.

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steve m

posted on 6/1/11 at 03:33 PM Reply With Quote
I was looking at this scope last night,
And might buy one later ??

http://www.scopesnskies.com/prod/Skywatcher/Astrolux/76mm/starter-scope.html

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omega0684

posted on 6/1/11 at 03:55 PM Reply With Quote
what do you need a telescope for? just look into the wifes eyes! (bu dum tish!)





I love Pinto's, even if i did get mine from P&O!

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Fozzie

posted on 6/1/11 at 04:05 PM Reply With Quote
Excellent programme wasn't it?

Did you know Brian Cox used to be with D:Ream?

Anyway I got Stu (also a novice) a telescope for last Crimbo,
he had also seen some of Dr Cox's programmes and got the bug.

I got him a Celetron Powerseeker 127 EQ

which seems pretty easy to use and set up if you are new to it all.
I also took some shots of the Moon through it during the summer
Description
Description


Description
Description


Just using a Nikon Coolpix digital camera.....nowt fancy, just a 'compact' camera.

HTH
Fozzie





'Racing is Life!...anything before or after is just waiting'....Steve McQueen


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Fozzie

posted on 6/1/11 at 04:25 PM Reply With Quote
All about the Clestron 127 here, with some alternative suggestions....

clicky scope linkydink





'Racing is Life!...anything before or after is just waiting'....Steve McQueen


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907

posted on 6/1/11 at 04:38 PM Reply With Quote
Instead, or as well as, a sky map (planisphere) I recommend the web site Heavens Above. com

In the astronomy section is the Whole Sky Chart.

If you put in your Lat & Long (nearest city will do) you get a star and planet map in real time.
You can then put in a day and time and it will show the sky as it will be. e.g. midnight tonight.

HTH

Paul G

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yorkshire-engines

posted on 6/1/11 at 05:09 PM Reply With Quote
Hi about 4 years ago i bought a 7inch reflector scope as where i live there is no better place to stargaze
but iv hardly used it maybe 3 times just two busy
its got all the lenses tripod motor etc with it and i think id sell it as its not gonna get used
id take around £200 for it cost £500 i remember

any takers

collection would be better as its large and delcate but could get a courior to deliver if required


cant post picy but its similar to this one

cheers Malc 07960011585



http://www.wit-usa.com/sms/shop/index.php?p=b3JnYT1zZWJlbiZncm91cD0yJmxhbmc9MiZjdXJyPTE=&action=products&cat=1&mode=view&id=7

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JoelP

posted on 6/1/11 at 08:02 PM Reply With Quote
that sounds like a bargain from malc.

The one steve linked too looks crap to me, the mechanism that holds it up has no means of precise adustment, and it would be unstable.

Malcs one, having a motor, you should be able to set it to your latitude and thus get the motor to follow the sky with one of the dials, so you can do longer exposure shots. My old 4" reflector has a pair of worm drives on flexy shafts so you can precisely adjust it without vibrating the stand.






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Ninehigh

posted on 6/1/11 at 09:12 PM Reply With Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Fozzie
Did you know Brian Cox used to be with D:Ream?



I thought I'd seen him somewhere else..

Anyway this is locostbuilders, make one out of the pringles tubes and beercans left over from christmas!






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Simon

posted on 7/1/11 at 01:43 AM Reply With Quote
Slightly ott, but I've been a fan of the Profs since his last tv series and now looking forward to the next. His enthusiasm is incredible and I thought the Stargazing series was brilliant - hopefully to be repeated soon.

What surprised me was Dara's knowledge!

As for telescopes, I was in pcworld just before Christmas and they had a couple in there and I was so tempted, but really need, like others, to do some research to find something suitable.

Advice may be lurking here

ATB

Simon

[Edited on 7/1/11 by Simon]

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Ninehigh

posted on 7/1/11 at 03:13 AM Reply With Quote
Ooh another thing, I got this recorded so I haven't seen it but it would be AWESOME if you meant Dara O'Brien!






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David Jenkins

posted on 7/1/11 at 08:28 AM Reply With Quote
One of the best bits of kit if you're just starting in star-gazing is a good pair of binoculars, together with some means of fixing them to a stand (e.g. tripod). Something with a low-ish magnification but big light gathering ability (7x50 or better).

These are easy to use, quick to set up and give instant rewards.

I'd also recommend one of Patrick Moore's books for amateur astronomers.

(and yes, it was THAT Dara!)

[Edited on 7/1/11 by David Jenkins]






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Fozzie

posted on 7/1/11 at 10:01 AM Reply With Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Ninehigh
Ooh another thing, I got this recorded so I haven't seen it but it would be AWESOME if you meant Dara O'Brien!


Be prepared to be AWESOME-nessed ....

I thought Dara was great, but it did irritate me when he kept talking over Brian....
I put it down to his over eagerness .....so I forgive him

Fozzie





'Racing is Life!...anything before or after is just waiting'....Steve McQueen


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Jasper

posted on 19/1/11 at 11:02 AM Reply With Quote
Well, Malc 'scope arrived and I set it up last night and looked at the Moon and Jupiter, absolutely amazing.... then I realise I have absolutely no idea what to do next with it!

So after a quick look on the internet it turns out there's a local club that meet about 500 yds from my home once a month, so I'm gonna head down there and get some pointers. Sir Patrick Moore is their chairman and lives just down the road apparently!

I'll post some pictures once I get it all sussed out

[Edited on 19/1/11 by Jasper]





If you're not living life on the edge you're taking up too much room.

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Fozzie

posted on 19/1/11 at 04:51 PM Reply With Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Jasper
Well, Malc 'scope arrived and I set it up last night and looked at the Moon and Jupiter, absolutely amazing.... then I realise I have absolutely no idea what to do next with it!

So after a quick look on the internet it turns out there's a local club that meet about 500 yds from my home once a month, so I'm gonna head down there and get some pointers. Sir Patrick Moore is their chairman and lives just down the road apparently!

I'll post some pictures once I get it all sussed out

[Edited on 19/1/11 by Jasper]


ooOOoo excellent!
Malc's 'scope was a great bargain, glad you got it......

Sir Patrick lives (or used to) at Selsey .... a nice clear night tonight (should be), it was beautiful (sky) at Chichester today,
but got increasingly murkier (sky) on the way back to Surrey this afternoon...

I was trying to get a planetsphere today with no luck.....so I will now have to google it .... really wanted to see it first though....ah well.....

Good luck with the 'new' hobby.......looking forward to seeing your pictures.

Fozzie





'Racing is Life!...anything before or after is just waiting'....Steve McQueen


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Jasper

posted on 20/1/11 at 12:46 PM Reply With Quote
Fozz, I just ordered this from Amazon, detailed DK book, and Planisphere together for £12:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Starfinder-Dk-Astronomy-Carole-Stott/dp/1405352701/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1295527484&sr=8-11





If you're not living life on the edge you're taking up too much room.

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Fozzie

posted on 20/1/11 at 04:18 PM Reply With Quote
Thanks for that Jasper......I have now ordered it for Stu ....

I had been looking for the Philips Planisphere .... but not in stock anywhere.........so the DK one will do very nicely!

Fozzie





'Racing is Life!...anything before or after is just waiting'....Steve McQueen


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iank

posted on 20/1/11 at 06:23 PM Reply With Quote
Stellarium is quite good for finding out what you were looking at and being free doesn't hurt.

http://www.stellarium.org/





--
Never argue with an idiot. They drag you down to their level, then beat you with experience.
Anonymous

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steve m

posted on 20/1/11 at 06:43 PM Reply With Quote
Not a bad site, but soooo slow !
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